SAT-7 UK Advent Prayer Day 19

Turkiye

:

COUNTRY PROFILE

Freedom of religion

may be recognised in

Türkiye’s constitution

but non-Muslims

face restrictions,

especially those not named in a 1923 treaty

that includes only Armenian Apostolic

Orthodox Christians, Greek Orthodox

Christians and Jews. Public opinion,

reinforced by the state, is that to be Turkish

is to be Muslim. Many regard non-Muslims

as a threat to national unity.

• Despite the restrictions, Protestant churches have

multiplied since the 1960s. They now total around

100, mostly small congregations. These churches

have been able to register legally since 2005.

• Over the last five years authorities cancelled

the residency and deported or barred re-entry

to around 75 expatriate Christians who led or

assisted Protestant churches.

• Church leaders have sometimes faced death

threats, though the most serious violence in recent

years was the murder of five young men at a

Christian publishing house in Malatya in 2007.

DECEMBER 19

DISCRIMINATION

Christians face significant discrimination in Türkiye

as there is increasing religious nationalism in this

mostly Islamic country. They are often denied visas

and employment, and are viewed with suspicion.

Pray for Christians in Türkiye as they live in this

unwelcoming and hostile environment. Ask that

they will enjoy the same rights, opportunities and

treatment as other Turks.